U.S. patent application number 10/645956 was filed with the patent office on 2005-07-14 for hair iron.
Invention is credited to Park, Keith.
Application Number | 20050150511 10/645956 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34738926 |
Filed Date | 2005-07-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050150511 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Park, Keith |
July 14, 2005 |
Hair Iron
Abstract
A hair iron for straightening hair has a pair of tong blades. An
upper and lower barrel of varying cross section with a solid
ceramic core is enveloped in a metal jacket. Handles join tong
blades and handle sleeves are mounted on the handles for free
one-handed rotation.
Inventors: |
Park, Keith; (La Canada,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LAW OFFICES OF CLEMENT CHENG
17220 NEWHOPE STREET #127
FOUNTAIN VALLEY
CA
92708
US
|
Family ID: |
34738926 |
Appl. No.: |
10/645956 |
Filed: |
January 12, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
132/224 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 2/001 20130101;
A45D 1/16 20130101; A45D 1/00 20130101; A45D 1/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
132/224 |
International
Class: |
A45D 002/40 |
Claims
1. (canceled)
2. (canceled)
3. (canceled)
4. (canceled)
5. (canceled)
6. (canceled)
7. (canceled)
8. A hair iron for styling hair comprising: a pair of tong blades,
a first tong blade and a second tong blade; a pair of upper
barrels, each barrel having a circular cross section comprising a
ceramic core enveloped in a metal jacket and mounted on the first
tong blade and a lower jacket mounted on the second tong blade
shaped with a pair of channels to receive the upper barrel, wherein
the upper barrel and lower blade meet to form a wavy interface for
holding hair to be straightened; an upper handle and a lower handle
forming a pair of handles; a clip assembly pivotally joining the
pair of handles to the pair of tong blades, wherein the first tong
blade and pair of upper barrels is integrally formed with the lower
handle, wherein the second tong blade and lower jacket including
the pair of channels is integrally formed with the upper
handle.
9. The hair iron of claim 8 further comprising: an upper handle
sleeve mounted and rotatably free on the upper handle, wherein the
upper handle has a circular uniform cross section receiving the
upper handle sleeve; wherein the upper handle sleeve has an annular
uniform cross-section, wherein the upper handle sleeve may rotate
about the upper handle, wherein the upper handle sleeve axis oI
rotation parallels the central axis of the upper handle; further
comprising a lower handle sleeve mounted and rotatably free on the
lower handle, wherein the lower handle has a circular uniform cross
section receiving the lower handle sleeve; wherein the lower handle
sleeve has an annular uniform cross-section, wherein the lower
handle sleeve may rotate about the lower handle, wherein the lower
handle sleeve axis of rotation parallels the central axis of the
lower handle.
10. The hair iron of claim 8 wherein the ceramic core is solid.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to hair curling irons used to
curl or straighten women's hair.
DISCUSSION OF RELATED ARTS
[0002] Since the early 1920's, hair curling irons have been used to
create various styles of hair curls or to straighten women's hair.
The curling irons have been typically heated, either by electricity
or by the use of ovens.
[0003] If curling irons are excessively hot, they will often damage
hair and may injure users who accidentally place the heated region
too near their skin. It has been discovered that human hair is well
absorbent to infrared radiation in the range of 5 to 10. mu.m.
Inventor Takimae in U.S. Pat. No. 4,740,669 points to ceramic
materials like zirconia magnetite and alumina as being well adapted
to radiating infrared radiation in this range. As a result,
Inventor Takimae created a curling iron using ceramics on the outer
surface of the curling iron rod. Unfortunately, the electrical
heating element must be carefully regulated to avoid burning hair.
A variety of under heated or over heated electrical heating methods
has eroded consumer confidence in certain electrically heated
curling irons. Takimae's curling iron is heated using an electrical
resistance core.
[0004] Inventor Mack in U.S. Pat. No. 4,602,143, shows a mechanism
in which infrared radiation is emitted and temperature is
minimized. Ceramics are not used in this mechanism. Inventor Mack's
curling iron is also heated using electrical means.
[0005] Oven-heated curling irons are typically comprised of a pair
of iron tongs hence the name `hair iron`. Inventor McGee in U.S.
Pat. No. 5,957,140 shows an oven-heated iron combining the features
of being able to straighten and curl the hair. The pair of tongs is
composed of metal. Inventor McGee mentions the concern of the metal
iron being too heavy and causing fatigue for stylists.
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES
[0006] Accordingly, present invention has several objects and
advantages.
[0007] 1. Enclosed wrapping of the ceramic core with a metal casing
differentiates this product with conventional iron tools currently
on the market.
[0008] 2. The heat trapping effect design allows ceramic core to
retain heat longer than the opened metal casing, allowing the user
to use the present invention longer without having to re-heat
so.
[0009] 3. Heat is evenly and predictably distributed on the heating
surface when ceramic compound touches all heating surface. Since
the ceramic compound retain heat longer than metal, having constant
contact with metal surface prevents hot spots on the heating
surface. Hot spots occur when certain areas cool faster than
other.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a side view of the first embodiment
[0011] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the first
embodiment
[0012] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the first
embodiment
[0013] FIG. 3a is a front view of the first embodiment
[0014] FIG. 3b is a rear view of the first embodiment
[0015] FIG. 3c is a cross sectional view of a barrel portion of the
first embodiment
[0016] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the second
embodiment
[0017] FIG. 5 is a side view of the second embodiment
[0018] FIG. 5a is a front view of the second embodiment
[0019] FIG. 5b is a rear view of the second embodiment
[0020] FIG. 5c is a cross sectional view of the single barrel of
the second embodiment
[0021] FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the third
embodiment
[0022] FIG. 7 is a side view of the third embodiment
[0023] FIG. 7a is a front view of the third embodiment
[0024] FIG. 7b is a rear view of the third embodiment
[0025] FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of the fourth
embodiment
[0026] FIG. 9 is a side view of the fourth embodiment
[0027] FIG. 9a is a front view of the fourth embodiment
[0028] FIG. 9b is a rear view of the fourth embodiment
[0029] FIG. 9c is a cross sectional view of the double barrel of
the fourth embodiment
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0030] The present invention relates to ceramic filled oven heated
irons lacking electrical core heating elements. Ceramic cores
retain heat and are protected by a metal jacket. The ceramic core
allows transfer of heat to the surrounding hair.
[0031] The first embodiment as seen in figure one shows the hair
iron 110 having an upper handle sleeve 145 and a lower handle
sleeve 150 enveloping a pair of handles 140 and pivotally
cooperating at a pivot junction 135 also called the clip assembly
point. The clip extension protrudes from the clip assembly 135 and
terminates in a pair of barrels. The upper barrel 120 is parallel
to a lower barrel 125 and forms a pair of tong blades 115.
[0032] A pair of tong blades include a first tong blade and a
second tong blade the upper barrel may have a semicircular cross
section comprising a ceramic core enveloped in a metal jacket
mounted on the first tong blade. The lower barrel may have a
semicircular cross section comprising a ceramic core enveloped in a
metal jacket mounted on the second tong blade. The upper and lower
barrels meet to form an interface for holding hair to be
straightened, while an upper handle and a lower handle form a pair
of handles. The clip assembly pivotally joins the pair of handles
to the pair of tong blades, so that the first tong blade and upper
barrel is integrally formed with the lower handle, and the second
tong blade and lower barrel is integrally formed with the upper
handle.
[0033] The pair of tong blades receives a person's hair strands in
a flat configuration where the hair between the blades can be
pressed straight. The blades may be used for straightening hair.
The handles and the handles sleeves allow a user to twirl the pair
of blades 115 and change position with one hand only or wrap the
hair around the outside circumference of the barrel portion 220 and
230 shown in FIG. 3a. The heat stored in the ceramic core material
430 transfer to the hair. A metal sheath 420 envelops the ceramic
core material 430 and offers protection for the ceramic.
[0034] The first embodiment shows a "straightener" or a "flat
iron." A flat iron is normally used to straighten and flatten hair.
Those with curly or wavy hair and those who want to smooth out
their ends would could use the invention as shown in the first
embodiment. To use this tool, the user must maintain a strand of
hair between the flat areas of the tool and slowly drag downward
from the roots to the ends. The flat iron in the first embodiment
would not be ideal to curl hair because the flatness in the middle
and the curved surface of the tool will leave an angular crease if
applied to the hair for a long period of time.
[0035] A second embodiment shown in FIG. 4 includes a single barrel
440 cooperating with a lower blade. The lower blade is curved and
formed of rigid metal planar material and does not contain ceramic
heat emitting material. The barrel holds a strand of hair and can
curl hair wrapped around the outside circumference of the barrel.
The cross sectional view shown in FIG. 5 provides a curved hair
travel path. The ceramic material shown in FIG. 5C has a large
cross section and is thus capable of retaining a substantial amount
of heat.
[0036] The second embodiment shows what is typically referred to as
a "curling iron." Not only does the second embodiment allow a user
with straight hair waves and curls, it also provides volume for
those with finer hair. The size of the cylinder that makes up this
tool is crucial; the larger the circumference of the cylinder, the
larger the curls become. The curling iron with the larger
cylindrical circumference produces bigger waves, while the curling
iron with the smaller cylindrical circumference produces tighter
curls and eventually achieves a spiral effect. To use the second
embodiment, the user must maintain a strand of hair between the
clip and the cylinder and use upward rolling motions, in which the
curling starts from the ends to the roots.
[0037] A third embodiment of the present invention includes the
device shown in figure six and seven. The lack of a ceramic core in
the upper and lower blade allow a user to cool hair, or present
limited heat for hair. As seen in the cross sectional view of FIG.
7. The upper blade fits into the lower blade forming a curved path
for hair. The curved path is useful in a variety of cosmetology
implementations.
[0038] The third embodiment in FIG. 7 represents a tool that can
serve as both a curling and straightening device. Since using the
curling iron may improperly create angular creases at its ends,
this tool is useful to smooth creases while leaving a curly accent
to the ends. The third embodiment of the invention can also be used
after blow-drying to smooth hair, similar to the effects of the
flat iron, of the first embodiment. The crescent design of this
tool however, will leave a slight wave rather than dull and
straight ends. This tool can also be used to flip a user's hair
outwards. This would be a popular tool amongst users with short
hair because the crescent design of this tool is ideal to grasp
short strands of hair.
[0039] A fourth embodiment of the present invention is shown in
figure eight and nine. A double barrel upper barrel portion
cooperates with a double lower barrel portion whereby the upper
barrel portion forms a wave pattern with the lower barrel portion.
The wave pattern allows a user to create wavy patterns in hair.
[0040] The fourth embodiment is a "crimper." Here the user must
maintain strands of hair between the two cylinders and the bottom
plate and apply pressure to one section at a time. The fourth
embodiment cannot be used with continuous rolling motions; this
will end up pulling the user's hair and result in undesired creases
in the users' hair. This tool leaves the hair wavy. The fourth
embodiment cannot produce spiral effects as Embodiment 2 can
because this tool merely serves as a curved pattern that needs to
be compressed onto one section of a strand of hair at a time.
[0041] The hair iron has an upper handle sleeve FIG. 4, 140 mounted
and rotatably free on the upper handle 210. The upper handle has a
circular uniform cross section receiving the upper handle sleeve.
The upper handle sleeve has an annular uniform cross-section, and
the upper handle sleeve may rotate about the upper handle. The
upper handle sleeve axis of rotation parallels the central axis of
the upper handle.
[0042] The lower handle sleeve 150 is mounted and rotatably free on
the lower handle 140. The lower handle has a circular uniform cross
section receiving the lower handle sleeve. The lower handle sleeve
has an annular uniform cross-section. The lower handle sleeve may
rotate about the lower handle and the lower handle sleeve axis of
rotation parallels the central axis of the lower handle.
[0043] The foregoing describes the preferred embodiments of the
invention. Modifications may be made without departing from the
spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following
claims.
* * * * *